It was time for the dinner party.
Everyone hoped to use this opportunity to impress the judges. With shimmering gowns, polished shoes, and eyes filled with ambition, the competitors glided into the grand ballroom one after the other—each trying to outdo the next, not just with fashion but with charm, poise, and confidence.
"Leah! There you are! I've been looking for you everywhere," Karen called, appearing from behind with a wide smile.
"I just arrived," Leah said calmly, her eyes still scanning the golden-lit room.
"Come on, let's go greet the judges," Karen insisted, tugging gently on her arm.
Leah hesitated. "I really don't want to."
"Leah," Karen said with a sigh, "look at everyone. They're dressed their best tonight, all trying to leave a strong impression on the judges. We shouldn't be the exceptions."
Leah glanced around. Dresses shimmered under chandeliers. Laughter floated through the air like perfume. Everything was beautiful—but it felt like a game of masks. She didn't care for that. To her, design competitions should be about skill, not schmoozing.
Still, she followed Karen. Though she didn't believe in winning people over with appearances, she understood that presence mattered too—even if only a little.
After a short but polite conversation with the panel of judges, Leah and Karen returned to the flow of the evening.
"Hi, Leah!" came a warm voice.
Leah turned and saw a girl with soft brown hair, dressed in a white off-the-shoulder gown with a slit that ran elegantly from the knee down.
"Oh—Kate, right?"
"I was fifth place in last year's competition," the girl said with a shy smile, adjusting her round glasses.
"Yes, I remember you now," Leah said, smiling. "We weren't exactly friends, but we had a good relationship."
"I… I saw you and thought I'd say hello," Kate said, a little flustered.
"It's nice to see you again," Leah replied warmly. "I hope you place even higher this year."
"Thank you." Kate's cheeks flushed. Although Leah hadn't taken first place last year, Kate had admired her deeply. Her work had been detailed, unique, and full of soul. There was something effortlessly graceful about Leah, and it showed—in her designs and in her presence.
"I love your dress," Leah said sincerely.
Kate looked down, surprised. "Thank you."
Her dress was simple, yet elegant. Her hair was tied in a neat ponytail, and her soft black eyes, petite nose, and pink lips gave her a calm, intelligent beauty. She reminded Leah of Mira—and perhaps that was why she liked her even more.
Across the room, however, not everyone was enjoying the sight of Leah being admired.
Emily Gray sat with her usual circle, a glass of sparkling juice in hand, her expression tightening with every passing second.
"Hmph. What's so great about that girl?" she muttered.
"Which girl?" asked Clara, her rich and ever-loyal friend.
"Leah. Or whatever she calls herself," Emily snapped. "Why is everyone acting like she's a goddess or something?"
Clara glanced toward Leah, who was speaking gracefully with Kate and Karen, her laughter light and unforced.
She is not as pretty or talented as you. Clara flattered. She never missed any opportunity to compliment Emily because of the benefits she gets from her. "But looking at Leah, you can tell why people are drawn to her more."
Clara couldn't lie to herself.
Emily was tall, with a delicate build, brown eyes, a long nose, pink lips, and flowing black hair. Her beauty had an innocent quality—like the younger sister you felt you needed to protect.
But Leah was something else entirely.
She had a tall, slender frame, but with an elegance that made her look carved from light. Her blue eyes sparkled with quiet strength. Her rosy cheeks, small nose, and berry-tinted lips gave her a warm, natural glow. Her long platinum-blonde hair flowed freely, catching the golden chandelier light as she moved. Pale skin with faint freckles softened her features, and everything about her seemed… poised. Regal. Effortlessly graceful.
There was nothing loud or boastful about Leah, yet she had a presence that filled the room. Clara could feel it—and she admired it deeply.
"She's not as pretty as you, of course," Clara added quickly, catching herself and snapping back into character.
Emily narrowed her eyes, clearly not convinced. "Watch her fall. All this fake admiration will fade when the real judging begins."
Clara didn't respond. Her thoughts were elsewhere, quietly studying the girl Emily despised—but she admired.
While Clara was still tangled in her thoughts, Emily rose from her seat and walked out of the venue without a word.
Back on the ballroom floor, the music shifted to a soft piano melody.
"We should head back. It's getting late," Karen said gently to Leah, and the two of them turned to say goodbye to Kate before leaving the hall together.